Miracle's boys
By: Jacqueline Woodson
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Woodson, Jacqueline. 2000. Miracle's boys. New York: G. P. Putnam's Sons. ISBN 0399231137.
Summary
Twelve year old Lafayette Bailey wishes his life was like the good old days, when he had a mother, a father and two loving older brothers. All he has left is memories, pictures and wishes of a better tomorrow. This story is told as a narrative through the eyes of Lafeyette Bailey, an African-American/Puerto Rican child growing up in New York. After his father dying in an accident , his middle brother Charlie away at a boys home serving time for committing a crime and his mother “Milagro” (Miracle) passing away from complications of diabetes, little Lafeyette feels like life will never be the same. He is left to be raised by his oldest brother Tyree and middle brother Charlie returning home, but this is not the Charlie he knew this was the “NewCharlie”. The NewCharlie “Hated my guts since Momma died” and was left to feel “Like a stranger in your house, like everything that used to mean something doesn’t anymore.” Lafayette chronicles their struggle to repair their family and together “brother-to-brother” become Miracle’s Boys once again.
Woodson, Jacqueline. 2000. Miracle's boys. New York: G. P. Putnam's Sons. ISBN 0399231137.
Summary
Twelve year old Lafayette Bailey wishes his life was like the good old days, when he had a mother, a father and two loving older brothers. All he has left is memories, pictures and wishes of a better tomorrow. This story is told as a narrative through the eyes of Lafeyette Bailey, an African-American/Puerto Rican child growing up in New York. After his father dying in an accident , his middle brother Charlie away at a boys home serving time for committing a crime and his mother “Milagro” (Miracle) passing away from complications of diabetes, little Lafeyette feels like life will never be the same. He is left to be raised by his oldest brother Tyree and middle brother Charlie returning home, but this is not the Charlie he knew this was the “NewCharlie”. The NewCharlie “Hated my guts since Momma died” and was left to feel “Like a stranger in your house, like everything that used to mean something doesn’t anymore.” Lafayette chronicles their struggle to repair their family and together “brother-to-brother” become Miracle’s Boys once again.
CRITICAL ANALYSIS
Jacqueline Woodson tells an intimate tale of a family’s love and will to survive all challenges. Woodson reaches her intended young audience by having her main character, Lafeyette , a twelve year old tell his family’s story. She connects with young readers by using text that kids understand, for example when describing the heavy troubles on NewCharlie’s back she uses expressions like “It’s more like Charlie carries around a gorilla on his back, than a monkey.” The audience can understand the feeling the character has. Woodson does a nice job unfolding the story to readers with flashbacks, sharing characters feelings ,along with easy conversations to follow.
Jacqueline Woodson tells an intimate tale of a family’s love and will to survive all challenges. Woodson reaches her intended young audience by having her main character, Lafeyette , a twelve year old tell his family’s story. She connects with young readers by using text that kids understand, for example when describing the heavy troubles on NewCharlie’s back she uses expressions like “It’s more like Charlie carries around a gorilla on his back, than a monkey.” The audience can understand the feeling the character has. Woodson does a nice job unfolding the story to readers with flashbacks, sharing characters feelings ,along with easy conversations to follow.
Cultural Markers are present in Woodson’s novel, such as the language used by the characters. As Lafeyette and his older brother Tyree walk the neighborhood block greetings are exchanged “W’s up”, Me and Tyree said “What’s up back, this reminded my of “Newcharlie and his friends hanging out on the corner of my block”. She also paints a picture of what Newcharlie looks like by having Lafeyette describe him “He’s light brown with thick black eyebrows and Mama’ nose.” Jacqueline Woodson goes to great lengths to authenticate the setting by his father’s accident set in New York’s Central Park and using a MetroCard to ride the train.
Even with this book having the focus of African-American characters Jacqueline Woodson does a great job expressing that feelings are real and that family pain is universal. Woodson shares the sorrows and emotional baggage of each character, “All the tears were jamming themselves together and pushing their way out”. She slowly heals her characters, sets their souls free and leaves them feeling, “ good and safe and free”.
Awards:
2001 Coretta Scott King Award
2001 Coretta Scott King Award
REVIEW EXCERPTS
School Library Journal- “The narrative is told through dialogue and Lafayette's introspections so there is not a lot of action, but readers should find this story of tough, self-sufficient young men to be powerful and engaging.”
Children’s Literature- “The book lyrically relays Lafayette's evolving feelings, leading the reader to the surprising end. Once again, Woodson demonstrates her unique mixture of extraordinary writing and story.”
School Library Journal- “The narrative is told through dialogue and Lafayette's introspections so there is not a lot of action, but readers should find this story of tough, self-sufficient young men to be powerful and engaging.”
Children’s Literature- “The book lyrically relays Lafayette's evolving feelings, leading the reader to the surprising end. Once again, Woodson demonstrates her unique mixture of extraordinary writing and story.”
Other Books By Jaqueline Woodson
Woodson. Jaqueline. The Other Side. ISBN 9780399231162.
Woodson. Jaqueline. Lena. ISBN 9780385323086.
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